The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

Meet your 2015 USSU executive candidates

With the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union general elections in full swing, candidates for next year’s executive are out campaigning.

This year the president, vice-president academic affairs and vice-president student affairs all have two candidates in the running while the vice-president operations and finance has an uncontested candidate. Noah Kelleher and Jack Saddleback are the two USSU presidential candidates. The position of vice-president academic affairs has Gabe Senecal and Felipe del Campo in the running. Kehan Fu and Wendy Li are the two candidates in contention for vice-president student affairs. The sole candidate for vice-president operations and finance is Ata Merat.

Each year the Sheaf writes a quiz for executive candidates to measure their general knowledge of the USSU, the U of S, Huskie sports and the Sheaf itself. Each candidate’s quiz score is included along with an outline of their platform.

President

Noah KelleherSecond year, commerceQuiz score: 48%

“Eliminate the chance of having two finals on one day and implement a ‘student first’ mentality within the USSU and Board of Governors. Too often are students put on the back burner and only thought of as a revenue generator. [I would] vote no to any budget presented to me that suggests an increase in tuition or student fees and promote greater collaboration between the student body and governance when making crucial decisions.”

Jack Saddleback Second year, sociology Quiz score: 82%

“As USSU executives, we only have 365 days to create change. Within this timeline I will work to implement my platform points, all of which are feasible.

“First, I will work with our student body and the university to build and implement a mental health strategy. Second, sexual assault is a huge issue across Canada’s post-secondary institutions; we need a sexual assault policy here at the U of S so no one is left in a ‘grey area’ wondering where to go next. Third, I see that the USSU can do better in engaging students on all levels at our university. Lastly, students are passionate about community engagement and I would love for this to not only be fostered but grow.

“I look forward to this election and to hear from you, because this is your USSU.”

VP Operations & Finance

Ata Merat Third year, electrical engineering Quiz score: 72%

“I would like to continue the financial success of the USSU. I will look for new ways to support innovation and entrepreneurship among student groups such as supporting installation of a Bitcoin ATM on campus and petitioning the USSU to begin accepting Bitcoin donations. I would like to develop an app to connect students to protective services and Safewalk faster and easier.”

VP Academic Affairs

Felipe del Campo Third year, political studies Quiz score: 56%

“I want to increase academic awareness and accessibility to USSU services by creating an academic advocacy centre and establishing fixed office hours for the exec. I want to keep promoting tuition consultation in each college. Then, I want to lobby to implement official electronic transcripts. Finally, I want to promote and increase undergraduate research.”

Gabe Senecal Fourth year, regional and urban planning Quiz score: 86%

“Creating a student bill of rights in conjunction with the university. The university does a poor job of actually letting students know their academic rights; a student bill of rights would solve this problem through repackaging and reorganizing the university’s jumbled policies into a cohesive and clear manner.

“[I will] implement a maximum of three midterms in 48 hours. Midterms are a particularly hard time for students, especially considering that midterms, unlike finals, require students to also keep up regular commitments to labs, classes, assignments essays.

“[I would implement] three-year tuition forecasting. Students deserve to know what they will be paying down the road in their degree.

“The U of S suffers from a lack of community at times. I will work with the other USSU executives to implement policies and build community. Social activities like a winter welcome week are a great first step.”

VP Student Affairs

Kehan Fu Third year, political studies Quiz score: 58%

“I want to revamp Welcome Week to be better in three ways: more immersive experience lasting an entire week from dawn until dusk, more inclusive to allow for international, indigenous, residence and underage students and more integrated to allow for different student groups and bodies to share their cultures and ideas with a larger crowd.

“[I want to] revamp the USSU radio show to engage more students with constant guests, music acts and even on-campus segments, and develop the show as an exposé of student culture in Saskatoon, to be viewed also as a weekly podcast segment including both on-air and off-air material. All students should have a means to express and act upon their concerns and ideas.

“One vice-president isn’t enough to deal with the many issues that are currently being sidelined. I will push for the creation of a student affairs committee including mental health, residence, sexual health, safety, physical health, academic research and community engagement.”

Wendy Li Fourth year, education Quiz score: 48%

“If elected, I would like to work on three student issues: raising awareness of mental health, getting universal (gender neutral) washrooms in Lower Place Riel and safety for all students on campus.”

The Sheaf’s 2015 USSU Elections Quiz

Name the University of Saskatchewan’s provost and vice-president academic. (1)

The results are in: the University of Saskatchewan’s undergraduate body has chosen its students’ union executive

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Latest Print Issue

Wildlife on campus: On Sept. 19, Protective Services received a call regarding a moose walking through
the crop science field laboratory. The Saskatoon Police Service and a conservation officer were able to transport the moose safely out of city limits without incident.

Suspicious activity: On Sept. 22, a caller in Place
Riel reported that three males tried to sell him drugs. Protective Services officers searched their bags, and no drugs were found. The individuals left campus.

Bike thief apprehended: On the evening of Oct. 2, Protective Services were alerted about a possible stolen bicycle near the Education Building. Upon arrival, officers observed a male matching the description of the suspect on a bicycle. The suspect was eventually apprehended and found to be in possession of stolen property and a prohibited weapon.

Trespassing in Murray Library: On Oct. 5, Protective Services received a call reporting a panhandler in Murray Library. The individual was given a verbal warning and left campus.

Bike theft at Royal University Hospital: On Oct. 11, Protective Services received a call from Royal University Hospital security reporting that they witnessed an attempted bicycle theft near RUH. RUH security apprehended the male and awaited the arrival of Protective Services officers. The male was then placed under arrest without incident.

Attempted robbery on the Meewasin Trail: On Oct. 15, a student was approached by an unknown male
and female on the Meewasin Trail, just off campus near the university’s Education fields. The victim had her backpack pulled from her and was struck during the struggle. The suspects, one armed with a knife, did not take any of her belongings and fled on foot, southbound on the trail. This incident occurred off campus and was handled by the Saskatoon Police Service.

Safewalk reminder: Safewalk volunteers walk people safely to their destinations on or near campus, Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Outside of these hours, Protective Services provides free walking escorts to students, staff, faculty and campus visitors and can be reached at (306) 966-5555.